Deutscherverein celebrates meeting together

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 3 minutes
Larry Hanselman and Birnie Jeffries greeted each other at the club meeting held at Dave Buehler Plaza Wednesday evening. The two friends hadn’t seen each other in over a year due to Covid-19. Photos by Matthew Crane

Old friends separated for more than a year celebrated their heritage and camaraderie together over Solo Cups filled with beer and plates filled with bratwurst as the Jasper German Club, or Deutscherverein, met together for the first time in over a year.

More than 100 members of the club gathered at Dave Buehler Plaza for the cautionary reunion that included presenting the 2020 German Heritage Award to Al and Judy Bennett as well as introducing the German exchange students attending Jasper High School this past year.

“Everyone has been looking forward to meeting,” president Paul Siegel said.

Club leadership felt that although they were no longer restricted from meeting, the outdoor venue would allow more members to attend comfortably. Al Bennett mentioned while receiving his award that the last and only other time the group had met outdoors was in 2009.

Judy and Al Bennett received the German Heritage Award Wednesday evening. The couple moved here in 1973 and joined when the club first started — Judy said they’ve been members for 38 years. They were recognized for their involvement with the club.

That last time the group was together in person was in February of 2020.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” treasurer Mike Ackerman added about the attendance Wednesday evening. “People are ready to start coming back out.”

The club is now in its 41st year and began with a group that sought to promote, preserve and celebrate the area’s German Heritage. The club is open to anyone to join.

The group celebrated Al and Judy Bennett’s award with a rousing rendition of ‘Ein Prosit’ with cups raised in honor of them receiving the German Heritage Award. “It is just wonderful to get to see, touch, and hug people,” Judy said.
Club president Paul Siegel introduced two of the four German exchange students attending Jasper High School. Lenny Seebacher (left) and Mattis Günter have been in the area for about eight months now and have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They both come from towns near Jasper’s sister city Pfaffenweiler.
Mike Ackerman recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening of the club’s official meeting held outdoors Wednesday.
The members enjoyed a meal catered by the Schnitzelbank.
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